Bobco....

Let me give you this scenario:

You take off a year going to CO, elk hunting....and you learn wrangling at a local horse ranch. You then take the next year you were going to hunt....and you go out to CO and simply spend the 5 days scouting and learning the area. You do this for 4 more years, straight.....never taking a weapon with you.

On that 7th year......you go to CO and do everything yourself. Everything.

I NEVER bashed anyone for taking a guide. My ONLY question would be.....which hunt would be more rewarding to you. The guided hunt....or the self-guided? There's NO wrong answer. I mean that. I don't begrudge ANYONE who uses a guide.

I've got a friend who went out to CO and did just that (Although he's a heckuva horseman). He now goes out 2x a year and guides his own archery elk hunts.

Everything leading up to the shot....AND after .....is part of the experience. I don't want someone field dressing my kills. I NEED to do that to experience the total hunt. I need to do that to make sure the animal (even in death) is respected. I need to do my butchering (although for practical reasons I have someone else package it for freezing). I need to scout my area. i need to hang my stands.

It's personal. "I" (emphasis on "I") would feel less accomplishment....if I subcontracted these things out. I mena NO disrepect for those who for WHATEVER reason don't feel the same as I do. It's not about me....for them.

Respect.

Jeff